Claudio Ranieri's alienation by the Chelsea hierarchy was emphasised yesterday when he revealed he was kept in the dark on Frank Lampard's contract negotiations.

Ranieri is fighting a losing battle against the demands of owner Roman Abramovich and chief executive Peter Kenyon and is expected to be sacked at the end of the season. Tuesday's 3-1 Champions League semi-final first leg defeat in Monaco - in which the manager yesterday admitted he played an unfit Juan Sebastian Veron - heaped even more pressure on the Italian's shoulders.

Ranieri revealed he had no knowledge of the reported breakdown of talks over Lampard's future. Ranieri, who rates the near ever-present midfielder as one of his two star players was unaware talks over Lampard's deal - which expires in 2006 - had collapsed. "I don't know anything about Frank Lampard. But, if I'm a dead man walking, how would I know?" said Ranieri. That speaks volumes of his position. Porto coach Jose Mourinho is now favourite to take over.

Several changes will be forced on Ranieri at Newcastle. He acknowledges Veron is not fit enough. And Scott Parker (hamstring), Adrian Mutu (knee), Damien Duff and William Gallas (both ill) are out.

Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly has been banned for three matches by Uefa for elbowing Monaco striker Fernando Morientes.

Desailly struck Morientes during Chelsea's 3-1 Champions League semi-final defeat in Monaco and was yesterday punished for violent conduct.

The Frenchman can appeal the decision before midnight next Monday, but if that were to fail he would miss the second leg of the semi-final at Stamford Bridge as well as the final should Chelsea progress.

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri admitted the loss of Desailly would be a major blow to his plans of overturning Monaco's two-goal advantage.

Uefa also confirmed a one-match ban for Andreas Zikos, who was sent off for a clash with Claude Makelele, whose over-reaction earned him criticism from Uefa who "noted the unsporting behaviour and provocative attitude."